The Big Tour - 24 in 24: roaring into a town near you

A team of four air traffic controllers have embarked on a motorcycle challenge from Aberdeen to Gibraltar, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and Aerobility. The challenge, The Big Tour: 24in24, will see them cover 3,200 miles, over 17 days, visiting 24 NATS-operated sites along the way.
By Emma BrettContributor
Published 16th Apr 2024, 17:39 BST

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The riders, Wayne Clarke, from Aberdeen Airport, Richard Fell, Shaun Bellairs-Wray and Harvey McVicar, from Swanwick Area Control Centre, all have experience of long distance touring, and have set about this challenge for a very special reason.

The Big Tour is about raising funds and awareness of two charities: Aerobility and Prostate Cancer UK. Aerobility is a charity which offers disabled people the opportunity to fly an aeroplane, supporting as many terminally ill and disabled people as possible every year.

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Prostate Cancer UK is a charity of great personal significance to the team, as an ex-staff member from Aberdeen control tower passed away in May 2023 from the disease having been diagnosed in 2021. The challenge aims to increase knowledge of the condition, and encourage males to have a PSA check.

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The team prepare to start their challengeThe team prepare to start their challenge
The team prepare to start their challenge

The team will be travelling on motorbikes kindly supplied by Triumph UK through contact with the 007 Stunt Team. Many other companies and teams have provided support or sponsorship including Bristow Helicopters, the National Motorcycling Museum and Brittany Ferries to name only a few.

The itinerary sees the team making several stops each day to meet their target:

  • 14/04 - Aberdeen Airport, Glasgow Airport, Prestwick Centre
  • 15/04 - Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport
  • 16/04 - RAF Woodvale, Manchester Airport, RAF Barkston Heath
  • 17/04 - Wattisham Airfield, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport
  • 18/04 - Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, Farnborough Airport
  • 19/04 - Cardiff Airport, RAF St Athan, Aberporth
  • 20/04 - Bristol Airport, Southampton Airport, Swanwick Centre, London City Remote Tower
  • 23-28/04 - Gibraltar
  • 30/04 - Netheravon, Middle Wallop, Whiteley Centre, Western Radar

After the final day of riding on 30 April, the team will be holding a tree planting event and investing in carbon capturing to offset their emissions and complete the challenge.

You can follow the team's journey via the '24in24' website or by following them on Instagram or Facebook. You can also donate to Aerobility or Prostate Cancer UK.

Related topics:Prostate Cancer UKGibraltarAberdeen